Petit Chablis AOP 2020

Domaine Garnier & Fils is located in Ligny-le-Châtel, the most northerly commune for producing Chablis. Despite owning vineyards for many generations, they only started vinifying their own wine in 1996. Encouraged by sales to Parisian restaurants, Joseph Garnier was soon joined by his sons, Xavier and Jérôme, who expanded the estate and built new winery facilities. From the outset, they have adhered to sustainable and organic practices, with full organic certification anticipated during 2024.

They focus on producing Chablis and Petit Chablis, and also source micro-quantities of grapes for Premier and Grand Cru wines. The Garnier brothers emphasise traditional winemaking techniques, including the use of natural indigenous yeasts and extended ageing in large Stockinger barrels, which allows for complex and expressive wines. Their vineyards, divided between the left and right banks of Chablis from villages like Maligny, Ligny, and Villy, benefit from the region's distinctive Kimmeridgian limestone soils.

Their meticulous approach ensures that their wines reflect the unique terroirs of Chablis, characterised by opulent mouthfeel, vibrant acidity, and remarkable minerality. Domaine Garnier & Fils have earned their reputation through hard work, a dedication to sustainable practices, instinctive winemaking, and a belief in continuous innovation and improvement. The result is wines that consistently offer exceptional ripeness, freshness, elegance, and depth.

Garnier et Fils Petit Chablis AOP 2020
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
12.5% ABV

Vineyards:
Sourced from vineyards located on the plateau above the famous slopes of Chablis, the 2020 Petit Chablis benefits from the limestone-rich soils that give this wine its signature freshness and minerality. The cooler climate in this area enhances the wine’s vibrant acidity and its clean, elegant style.

Winemaking:
The hand-harvested grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the bright, fresh fruit character. No oak is used in the maturation, allowing the purity of the fruit and the distinctive minerality of the terroir to take centre stage.

Appearance:
Pale yellow with silvery highlights, reflecting the wine's youth and vibrancy.

Nose:
The nose is aromatic and enticing, offering an exotic blend of citrus zest and hawthorn, alongside notes of rose hip and warm sand. As it opens, more delicate floral hints emerge, adding complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate:
The wine opens with a soft, approachable attack, quickly revealing its vibrant minerality. Flavours of yellow fruit such as apricot and peach develop, while the texture remains full and rounded. Despite its classification, this Petit Chablis punches above its weight, delivering a level of depth and quality that rivals many standard Chablis wines.

Food Pairing:
Ideal with seafood such as oysters and crab, and it pairs exceptionally well with young goats' cheese sprinkled with sea salt.